From the Moon (2024) Board Game

From the Moon’ is a space exploration board game designed by Miguel Coimbra and published by La Boîte de Jeu. Set for release in 2024, this game allows players to take on the role of astronauts exploring Earth’s Moon in a futuristic setting. With a runtime of 90 minutes and suitable for players aged 14 and above, ‘From the Moon’ promises an immersive and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of From the Moon

Structure cards: Divided into four types marked by color stripes – blue Resources, yellow Flags, pink Abilities, and gray scoring cards.

Expedition cards: Special once-per-turn abilities added to each hand of cards at the start of each era.

Rover tokens: Wooden pieces that can be sent to an opponent’s base to access their resources.

Reputation cards: Nine cards with varying difficulties that players aim to claim for points and abilities.

Resource tokens: Necessary for building Structure cards.

Flag markers: Used to track dominance in five Flag types.

Hearts: The currency of points, awarded for majorities in Flag types and card abilities.

How To Setup From the Moon

To set up the game, players begin by distributing the Structure cards into hands, ensuring each player has a starting set. Expedition cards are added to each hand at the beginning of each era. Players also receive initial resource tokens and flag markers. The Reputation cards are placed within reach of all players, and the Rover tokens are set aside for use during the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players pass hands of cards to the left, choosing to build or assimilate (discard) cards for resources or small boons.

Resource Management: Players must spend required resource tokens and meet flag requirements to build Structure cards.

Expedition Abilities: Special abilities on Expedition cards can be used once per turn, adding unique actions to each hand of cards.

Rover Mechanic: Players can send a Rover to an opponent’s base to access their resources.

Flag Dominance: Players compete for majorities in five Flag types to earn hearts.

Reputation Cards: Players aim to claim these cards to fulfill conditions for points and abilities.

Scoring Phases: Occur at the end of each era, with a final scoring tally including gray endgame cards.

Player Experience

Playing From the Moon involves a dynamic mix of strategic planning and social interaction. Players must carefully manage their resources and flags while keeping an eye on their opponents’ progress. The Rover mechanic adds a layer of competition, allowing players to disrupt or benefit from each other’s bases. The game’s humor, evident in the flavor text and quirky card illustrations (like drive-in theaters and taco stands on the moon), keeps the atmosphere light and engaging. The game’s complexity increases across the three eras, making each decision more intricate and satisfying.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Card drafting, resource management, and Expedition abilities create a rich gameplay experience.

Social Interaction: The Rover mechanic and flag dominance add a competitive edge.

Humor and Theme: The game’s light-hearted theme and card illustrations enhance player enjoyment.

Increasing Complexity: The game becomes more intricate across the eras, keeping players engaged.

Cons

Limited Simultaneity: Some players may prefer more simultaneous actions rather than the sequential turns.

Optimal Player Count: The game is best with three or four players; it may not be as engaging with two or solo players.

Personal Thoughts on From the Moon

From the Moon is ideal for players who enjoy strategic card drafting games with a social twist. It is perfect for those who appreciate a game that starts simple but grows in complexity, offering a narrative experience as players progress through the eras. The game’s light-hearted theme and humorous elements make it a great addition to any game collection, especially for fans of games like Fantastic Factories. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking high levels of simultaneity in gameplay or for solo players.

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